FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS REGARDING
POOLS AND HOT TUBS IN THE HOOSICK FALLS AREA
May 9, 2016
Q. Does my pool or hot tub water have PFOA?
Whether your pool or hot tub water has PFOA depends on what water you used to fill it last. If the source
water for your pool or hot tub had levels of PFOA, then it is safe to expect that your pool or hot tub water
will have similar or lower levels of PFOA as those found in the water you used to fill it.
For example:
If you last filled your pool or hot tub from an untreated private well with a PFOA level of 40 ppt, your pool
or hot tub water is likely to have levels of PFOA at, or under, 40 ppt.
Q. If my pool or hot tub water is likely to have or has PFOA in it, can I use my pool or hot tub?
Based on anticipated levels of PFOA in swimming pools and hot tubs in the Hoosick Falls area, the amount
of exposure to PFOA from swimming in a pool or using a hot tub is so small that it is not expected to
present a health concern. You can open and use your pool or hot tub for the season as you normally
would.
Some chemicals are easily absorbed through the skin and into the body and some are not. According to
studies, PFOA is one of the chemicals that is not easily absorbed. Also, exposure to PFOA from swallowing
water while swimming, even for children, is extremely small. For perspective, any PFOA levels that may
remain in your pool or hot tub are insignificantly small compared to the levels of the numerous chemicals
(chlorine, bromine, algaecides, shock treatments, pH control chemicals) that are routinely used to treat
pools and hot tubs. In fact, any PFOA that may be present will be many thousands of times lower than
chlorine levels.
If you have any questions about PFOA or other chemical exposure from swimming pool or hot tub use,
contact the New York State Department of Health at 518-402-7800.
Q. How can I remove PFOA from my pool or hot tub?
Even though it is not necessary to remove PFOA from your pool or hot tub for health reasons, owners who
choose to do so can drain and refill their pools or hot tubs with filtered water.
Please note that before draining a pool or hot tub, owners should consult their owner’s manual and
product specifications. Water from pools or hot tubs should be drained into a sanitary sewer or pumped
into a water tanker and hauled away. If you do not have one of these options at your disposal, please
contact the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Region 4 Water Engineer, Derek
Thorsland, at 518-357-2045 for further guidance.